VICIOUS LITTLE SNAKES
by TRILINA PUCCI
Caroline Whitmore is cunning, inconsiderate, and ruthless.
Despite that, I can't recall a day when I haven't thought about her at least once. On paper, we're a perfect match--Only on paper.
In real life, we're a disaster.
She hates me. Hates the way I dress--everything I say.
My basic existence.
But what I hate is more complicated.
Because I'm a moth to a gorgeous, petite, brunette flame.
I hate that I still remember what she wore the day we sat together in sixth grade.
And that I would move mountains for her smile.
I hate every guy that gets too close.
And that one of them gets to stay.
I hate that I want her so bad that I used my best friend to make her jealous.
But most of all, I hate that Caroline Whitmore is the one that got away
by TRILINA PUCCI
Caroline Whitmore is cunning, inconsiderate, and ruthless.
Despite that, I can't recall a day when I haven't thought about her at least once. On paper, we're a perfect match--Only on paper.
In real life, we're a disaster.
She hates me. Hates the way I dress--everything I say.
My basic existence.
But what I hate is more complicated.
Because I'm a moth to a gorgeous, petite, brunette flame.
I hate that I still remember what she wore the day we sat together in sixth grade.
And that I would move mountains for her smile.
I hate every guy that gets too close.
And that one of them gets to stay.
I hate that I want her so bad that I used my best friend to make her jealous.
But most of all, I hate that Caroline Whitmore is the one that got away
"Riling that girl up should count as a hobby, considering how much I do it."
One of my favorite things is getting caught up in a book or a world; one where I can block out the gibberish floating around me and fall in love with some characters that I wasn't entirely sure I would truthfully enjoy. Well, one character in particular. Namely Caroline. I’m pretty sure I was the Queen Director in charge of the Caroline Hate Committee. But Caroline was a force to be reckoned with....not one to be brushed off, because she’s not for the faint of heart. I spared no feelings when I said how much I hated her after reading Filthy Little Pretties, but I am also here to tell you that after hating her as much as I did, it takes a good storyline and an amazing author to make me fall in love with the sworn enemy. Trilina Pucci expertly set me up in this new world full of spoiled brats, scandal, and intrigue, and she delivered a story with depth, emotions, and heartache. And I loved it.
You know, a book is supposed to be FUN to read - at least that's what I'm always searching for. When I’m looking forward to turning the pages, I know it’s a book that’s going to make me smile. This one was that book. This is what I've been missing over the last several weeks because I couldn't wait to turn each page - to engage more with the characters and their drama, but by the time the pages started dwindling, I was very hesitant to continue because I didn't want to leave this world. I truly enjoyed the craziness because it offered a perfect escape and a deep dive into a culture shock of epic proportions.
"Because I crave her more than I hate her."
"Because I crave her more than I hate her."
Liam and Caroline's animosity could have easily been used interchangeably with lust and that was palpable from the get-go. Sex was weaponized and emotions were scrutinized. Communication lacked heavily in this very desperate teenaged crowd, but it all worked and twisted me up within their world. I could literally hear her say, “I smite thee” on so many occasions. She had no chill and she never gave a fuck. She had such an arrogance to her that I couldn't help but gawk at some of her actions. I literally dropped my jaw a few times and laughed out loud. She was cruel!! But, she also had a side that I don’t think I really would have seen had I not read this one. I was not too sure I could empathize with Caroline after that first book, but I got a different look into her thought processes with this one, and that opened my eyes to her and who she really was deep down. Without giving away too much, I will say that there was a deeper pain than the surface allowed me to see Filthy Little Pretties. Does it excuse her behavior? Probably not, but coping mechanisms reveal themselves in many different ways.
I definitely feel like I painted Caroline with a broader stroke after Filthy Little Pretties, but this one broke down who she was and why she was the way she was....it made her a little more human, in turn allowing me to feel her and fall in love with her and her demons. Her fears manifested as angry rants disguising themselves as nonchalance and the lack of caring about anyone else’s feelings. But there was a deeper side to her bitterness and it was perfectly written by Pucci, to the point of me being quite shocked. It’s not pity. It’s understanding.
Discovering Caroline's personal truth was what I needed in order to feel any sort of sympathy for her or her plight. I think it’s pretty safe to say that Pucci gave me a side that worked so exceptionally well with the first book, but showed the truth behind the perception we were originally introduced to - and that is what made me sing a different tune. The fact that she perpetuated this sort of facade to hide behind - my heart hurt for her. That’s something I never thought I’d say.....
There are certain stories you just want to live in....a world full of characters and friendships that make you smile, and absorb your worries. This world is one I want to be a fly on the wall of, knowing I wouldn’t survive in a world with Caroline, but I’d sure love to visit it. This little rich prep school vibe was amazing to be immersed in for a few days, across three books. I LOVE this world. I mean, it's easy to dismiss teens because they are young and immature - but, c'mon. We've all been there. Naughty, dirty, teenaged drama is sometimes the best drama - especially when their problems are far beyond my realm of understanding. I loved every minute of it. A world I’d never know anything about, but it never abated my curiosity... I feel like I got to live it within the pages of this book. This one made me feel a part of their journey.
"How is it that I can love you and hate you with the same heart?"
This was an engaging read. It’s my favorite when I’m able to discuss a book while reading it and not losing a step in time. The volatility that is shared between Liam and Caroline is the kind of drama and tension I love seeing in a YA book. This is mature YA, but it's still teenagers so their drama isn't always palatable. I loved their love/hate relationship and I really liked the heaviness of this book. I have to admit, though - the amount of hilarity spread between these two had me laughing quite a bit while reading this. Their chemistry was seriously industrial strength - they had all the lust, all the draw, all the intensity you could ask for in a YA story. Again, mature YA, but YA nonetheless. But, you miss out on NOTHING. So so good. I think Pucci nailed the angsty side of young love here. Anger, raw undeniable emotion, perseverance. It’s all in there. It is the quintessential convoluted thinking of teenagers - and how off they can be sometimes, how stubborn they always are. It was suuuch a good story.
Pucci's words are always in motion. She’s fluid on the page and I love that it’s constantly moving in a forward fashion - it never stalls. It’s busy, and that’s just the way I like it. It never stops evolving and that push to get there is never lost in translation. I think what this all comes down to is that I have a serious blogger-author crush on Trilina Pucci and her writing style. It's witty. It's fun. It's mean. It's real. But it's so emotional and sexy in just the right context and I couldn't get enough of them. Their world. Their reality. I'm looking forward to Kai's story - Corrupt Little Bastards - but I'm also dreading it because that means I'm leaving Hillcrest and can't visit them anymore. That'll by a happy-sad day. I preordered that one super quick!
"The last thing I want anyone to know is that Liam makes me feel."
~BEE
ARC REVIEW
~BEE
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April 20, 2021
~MEET TRILINA PUCCI~
It all started when…
Trilina decided, 3 years ago, that between making grilled cheese sandwiches and running carpool she was going to write saucy novels for readers to titillate and excite them. She hasn't slowed down since!
Trilina has always had a love of writing; as a child she would journal and typically change the ending of whatever she was writing to suit her daydream. A knack for storytelling has translated into her debut, as an author, being met with rave reviews.
She lives in California where she multitasks the roles of wifey, mama and author. She hopes you enjoy her words and keep coming back for more!
Read Sexy, Stay Sexy!
xoxo, Trilina
~CONNECT WITH TRILINA~
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Another amazing review! I can't wait to read this now!
ReplyDeleteThank you SO much, Joy!!!
DeleteIf you're the Queen Director in charge of the Caroline Hate Committee, I'm pretty sure I'm your #1 follower and banner bearer. I also hated Caroline when I met her. That's why I was kinda shocked that it's her and Liam. I also fell hard for him just like Grey. I can't wait to read how Trilina redeemed her.
ReplyDeleteLove your review Bee. As always it was amazing.
You will be singing a different tune by the time you're done with this book, Bunny. I can promise you that. I really loved this one.
DeleteThanks again for this book Bee. I can't wait to dive in. Oh wait! I'm driving in now. So excited!
DeleteMaybe we can sing that same tune?
I love YA and i love your review!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sabrina!!!
Delete